Government
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS & EMILY LINCKE
$4M invested in abuse reduction efforts On Dec. 10, Harris County Commissioners Court approved a $4 million plan to aid domestic violence survivors. The overview Harris County has a 75% turn-away rate for peo- ple looking for help when trying to escape domestic violence, Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones said during a Dec. 10 news conference. The county has also had the highest numbers for intimate partner violence in the state since 2022, according to a Dec. 10 news release from Briones’ office. The Houston Area Women’s Center will receive the initial $1 million investment, according to the release. The center will collaborate with the University of Houston Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality and the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council for the project.
Whitmire to launch $70M homelessness program Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced tentative details Nov. 21 on a pilot program intended to start the process of addressing the city’s homelessness issue. The approach Whitmire, along with city and county officials, laid out how Houston plans to improve homeless- ness, starting with what’s been the city’s biggest roadblock—funding. Michael Nichols, director of the Housing and Community Development Department, said the idea is to have a $70 million year-one funding plan. Nichols said the plan starts with the city committing $25 million. He expects Harris County to contribute approximately $20 million, nonprofit organizations $15 million and other governmental entities $10 million. The $70 million will be spent on projects such
1st non-engineer hired as HPW director Houston City Council members voted unanimously Nov. 20 to hire Randy Macchi as the Director of Houston Public Works, the city’s first non-engineer in the role. How it happened Houston Mayor John Whitmire originally requested the appointment of Macchi to serve as the executive director of Houston Public Works in early November. However, the city’s code of ordinance previously required the executive officer to be a registered professional engineer in Texas. Council members voted to rewrite the ordinance to vote Macchi in the same day. About the candidate Macchi served most recently as Chief Operating Officer of HPW.
1st Harris County AAPI commission created A new Harris County commission—which was created during the Dec. 10 Commission- ers Court meeting—will target topics such as health and safety for Asian American and Pacific Islander residents throughout the county. The big picture The population of Asian Harris County residents grew 53% across the Houston metro area from 2010 to 2020, according to Dec. 10 Harris County Commissioners Court meeting documents. According to the meeting documents, the new commission will: • Advise Commissioners Court • Work with organizations and residents • Focus on advancing policies
The state of homelessness Houston ranks 22nd in the United States for cities with the most homeless people
75% of people seeking help when experiencing domestic violence are turned away in Harris County. A 10% decrease in the turn-away rate is Harris County’s goal with the new plan.
75%
10%
Approximately 3,280 people experience homelessness in Houston every year
$1M
$4M
Roughly 1,107 homeless people were unsheltered in 2023
is being invested to aid domestic violence survivors in Harris County.
will be initially given to The Houston Area Women’s Center.
SOURCES: UNDERSTANDING HOUSTON/ COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS OF HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTY, COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
as outreach, rapid rehousing, shelter support, hub operations, permanent supportive housing and a new navigation center. Something to note Whitmire said the program could also include implementing a citywide civility ordinance, which would prohibit sitting, lying down or placing personal items on sidewalks between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. as well as sleeping on the streets after 9 p.m.
According to Dec. 10 meeting documents, the county’s domestic violence plan will: • Aim to decrease shelter turn-away rates by 10% • Add texting and social media options • Allow for additional training for providers • Encourage increased collaboration • Be contracted Dec. 10, 2024-Dec. 9, 2025 with three options for one-year renewals
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